After three movies, three television shows, a Web series, and much more, Adam Barnard reflects on what defines the unique fingerprint of Stargate.

As a teenage boy growing up in North Carolina — fascinated by the military, ancient mythology, and all things science fiction — I thought Stargate SG-1 seemed like a television show created by the gods themselves. It was as if somebody looked inside my soul and hand-tailored an intelligent, compelling, and enriching tale of galactic exploration that was relevant to my own life as well as the world around me.

I naively assumed that SG-1 resonated with everyone because of that exact medley of cinematic elements (because when we’re young, everything is about us). But as I came of age and spent more time interacting with other Stargate fans, I discovered that others appreciate SG-1 through a variety of lenses.

For some, the militarism of the show (my favorite element) was tangential and unnecessary: SG-1 was strongest in its scientific pursuits, not in a gridlock war with Goa’uldSystem Lords. For others, the deeper archaeological and philosophical inquiries held the secret to Stargate’s greatness — while for me, such threads functioned as a speed trap for the intergalactic action that I so desperately craved.

It turned out that men, women, and children from around the globe loved SG-1 (and later Atlantis) for many reasons I did not. And that dichotomy was further made known by the premiere of the highly-divisive Stargate Universe.

Within a few episodes of its pilot, SGU had become my favorite Stargate show. The producers introduced a bold new visual style, and effectively balanced out intimate character moments with frontier space adventure — all while telling truly fresh and compelling stories in a franchise that faced the risk of becoming redundant.

Universe also proved that my infatuation with SG-1 and Atlantis was no accident. I was on the same wavelength as these writers, and their fictional works would be seminal in crafting my own creative voice.

But not everyone saw that potential in SGU. In fact, many blamed the controversial spin off for the collapse of Atlantis and the cancellation of the SG-1 and Atlantismovies. Some even rallied to sabotage the new show out of pure spite.

The storytelling potential of Stargate was limitless, but the franchise had to craft an identity beyond the gate itself.

It shocked and frustrated me at the time, but later helped reinforce the truth that Stargate connects with different people for vastly different reasons.

Which got me asking: What does it mean for a show to be Stargate? What are the unifying factors of Stargate? And why does fandom — despite being so highly dysfunctional — feel a kindred connection to this franchise?

Having taken many years to reflect on these questions, I want to present my thoughts on what makes Stargate … well, “Stargate.” Now as we have entered 2019 — the year that will likely bring the franchise back in full force — this is the perfect time to reaffirm why these stories have such profound and personal meaning to us, no matter where we come from.

FOUND FAMILY

While many a franchise focuses on the generational struggles of family (Star Wars, Game of Thrones, etc.), Stargate chooses to highlight non-familial bonds that — through powerful shared experiences — become just as strong and unbreakable as blood ties themselves.

Think of Teal’c: an “enemy” solider who listens to his conscience and betrays his god just to save a group of strangers. And how through that brave and selfless action, he ends up finding his true family.

Family has been a major component of Stargate both in front of (and behind) the camera.

Think of Ronon Dex: a lonesome runner. A man whose rough outer shell and defense mechanisms are disarmed by the explorers he meets from Atlantis — individuals who risk their lives to free him, and welcome him into their city.

Think of Eli Wallace: an M.I.T. dropout on the road to nowhere — befriended by Lt. Scott, mentored by Colonel Young, and pushed to his limits by Dr. Rush. A boy who becomes a man, and a brilliant mind who becomes unafraid to step up and recognize his own potential.

Think of Samatha Carter and Jack O’Neill: two dedicated military professionals who learn to trust, guard, and yes, even love each other — leading by example and setting the tone for Stargate Command.

Writer-producer Joseph Mallozzi recently echoed this sentiment in an interview with Stargate Command. “Viewers tune in for the hook,” he said, “but they come back for the characters. Whether it was the SG-1 team, the Atlantis expedition, or the crew of the Destiny, they were like a second family that viewers checked in with time and again.”

Stargate’s fans may have tuned in for the sci-fi adventure — but they stayed for the bonds forged between the characters.

The dinner scene from the SGU series finale “Gauntlet” also comes to mind. Written by Mr. Mallozzi himself, the bittersweet scene beautifully encapsulates the spirit of the franchise and its emphasis on found family. And, in retrospect, this same scene marks the closing chapter and the end of an era.

“I guess it’d be easy to dwell on everything that we have lost, but I think today I would rather think about what we still have, and maybe what we’ve gained” says Everett Young, addressing the remaining Destiny crew as they prepare to go into stasis.

“We’re a family now, whether we like it or not. Sons, daughters, sisters, even the slightly crazy uncle who, despite everything, still manages to come through for you in the end.

“To family.”

ANCIENT MYTHOLOGY

Though some Stargate stories focus on Earth-based mythology more than others, each Stargate iteration possesses a profound and unbreakable connection to the history of our home planet.

It was a truly novel idea on behalf of original Stargate creators Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin to introduce Egyptian mythology as a conduit to the otherworldly. But SG-1 co-creators Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner saw something far greater in that seed of an idea.

It turns out everything you saw on the History Channel was right: the pyramids were landing platforms, and Egyptian gods were in fact aliens.

Whether it was Norse mythology (the Asgard), Old English mythology (Camelot), or Greek mythology (“Brief Candle”), Stargate SG-1 thrived on its ability to weave a celestial tapestry that was both highly familiar yet distinctly alien.

This was so much so that SG-1’s first spin-off (Stargate Atlantis) was built entirely around the iconic Greek myth of Atlantis.

In a weird way, it felt like Stargate was teaching us about our own world — calling upon ancient lore to posit what “realistic” alien involvement in our civilization would look like. And as the characters of Stargate explore the universe — in our backyard (SG-1), in the Pegasus Galaxy (SGA), and in the farthest reaches of the known universe (SGU) — they’re making revelations about our own identity that further invests the audience in this fictional universe.

MODERN-DAY SETTING

While a universal “present-day” storytelling restriction could stifle the franchise moving forward, I believe the precedent exists to say that Stargate, as a whole, has sewn its identity parallel to our own timeline.

Even Brad Wright (co-creator of all three television series) reaffirmed on Twitter that “the Stargate series worked because they were set in the here and now.” Under his leadership, Stargate SG-1, Atlantis, and Universe depicted “real life” scientist, civilians, and military personnel operating in secret to protect humanity and expand our galactic horizons. Ordinary people in extraordinary settings.

Stargate Command personnel had to exist in our everyday world, keeping their intergalactic adventures a secret.

They could be your neighbor, a passerby on the street, or an old friend from college — but above all, they’re accessible and identifiable in a modern context.

Furthermore, Stargate’s attention to granular, real-world details — ranging from up-to-date military uniforms and technology, to cultural standards and character perspectives — gave Stargate a profound sense of realism and tangibility. The writers, military advisors, and scientific consultants put in the extra work to make Stargate’s canon feel grounded, and the effort truly showed.

It was a huge draw for me personally, and it is something I’ve heard many fans (throughout my decade-long experience with fandom) reference as a crucial identifying factor of Stargate.

Come to think of it, I wouldn’t be surprised if 26 levels below Cheyenne Mountain, our government is running an inter-planetary Stargate program. A television show would be the perfect cover, wouldn’t it? (See: “Wormhole X-Treme!”)

EXPLORATION

Ever since Apophis made a surprise incursion into Stargate Command (in the SG-1 pilot “Children of the Gods”), Earth wasted no time in developing a Stargate program that would utilize the extensive Milky Way gate network to surveil and eliminate threats to our homeworld.

But while Stargate Command was initially a hawkish military operation tasked with the preemptive defense of earth, the endeavor quickly took on a far more aspirational value. Exploration of new worlds became a crucial story engine for the Stargate franchise — and one that wasn’t just steeped in war and combat, but intrigue and discovery.

For all the space battles and visual extravaganzas we were treated to as the show evolved, Stargate was ultimately about the relationships that were formed as a result of our heroes stepping through the gate. And squad-based exploration remained a cornerstone of the franchise’s storytelling fingerprint, even with the advent of interplanetary warships like the Prometheus.

Stargate was strongest when its stories were based around adventures through the Stargate itself.

Stargate Atlantis also found a way to reinvigorate that frontier vibe, sending an expedition with an ostensibly one-way ticket to the Pegasus Galaxy. And despite unthinkable dangers, the Atlantis team never shied away from exploring new worlds or forging new alliances. There was perpetual feeling of excitement and possibility every time our heroes stepped through the gate.

Most importantly, however, Stargate’s focus on exploration invited the audience to live vicariously through the characters of Stargate Command. I think we all secretly hope to be visited by General O’Neill and beamed up to the U.S.S. Hammond for the adventure of a lifetime. We want to be able to look to the stars, and know that we’ve visited all those solar systems and made a difference for the better.

Which is the perfect time to raise the topic of —

EXISTENTIALISM

Ahh… “existentialism.”

Such a buzzword could take on a variety of connotations. But in this case, it boils down to a simple question: “who are we?”

Stargate Atlantis explored the human condition through the Wraith, and their evolution. From “Michael”

Stargate’s television canon presented a fascinating revelation about humanity: we’re not the first of our kind. Earth is just one of a vast network of human settlements throughout the Milky Way and Pegasus Galaxies, and we’re all descended from the great and mighty Ancients.

Stargate Atlantis again took that revelation a step further, as we discovered a more sinister evolution of humankind: the Wraith.

Half human, half iratus bug — a fusion that went horribly wrong — the Wraith are a carnivorous race that mirror our own form, yet threaten to wipe out humanity as we know it. Further complicating matters, our team develops the ability to “convert” the Wraith back to human beings — raising an urgent ethical dilemma.

Do these “people” deserve the same treatment as natural-born humans? Are they sentient, or are they an abomination? And now that we’ve harnessed the genetic power to remove the iratus bug components from their DNA, are we violating basic human rights?

In Stargate Universe viewers were privy to an equally intense existential debate — one that arose after Dr. Rush discovered the cosmic microwave background radiation, a complex signal originating from the beginning of time.

It may look simple, but the cosmic microwave background radiation is a highly complex signal that could redefine how we view our own existence.

Such an unprecedented discovery could signify conclusive proof of intelligent design. But with great understanding comes great risk.

“They’re gonna call it proof of the existence of God, and for every politician that tries to take that and bend it for his own ends, there’ll be just as many — maybe more — who try to bury it,” says Dr. Andrew Covel, in Season Two’s “Alliances.”

Sadly, we never saw that particular thread fully realized. But Stargate consistency brought a layered, existential dialect to its narrative endeavors. Toward the end of its television run, the show began to address some of humankind’s most stunning mysteries.

HUMOR

Real life can be a downer, but Stargate was never so serious about itself that it was afraid to inject some levity into its storytelling.

Who says Stargate Command doesn’t have fun?

Amidst the chaos of running an interplanetary defense and exploration network, the characters of SG-1 were wry, self-effacing, and at times, straight-up hilarious. It’s a dynamic that could have easily become corny or insincere, yet somehow always managed to hit the tonal bullseye and compliment the greater story.

The same dynamic went for the crew of Stargate Atlantis: a largely civilian expedition with a one way ticket to the Pegasus Galaxy. Certainly a terrifying prospect, yet one that brought plenty of laughs in the form of the hilariously unequipped Dr. Rodney McKay, the sly and boyish Colonel John Sheppard, and the comically gruff, muscle-y sidekick Ronon Dex.

And while Stargate Universe chose a darker route, it still found its comedic balance in Eli Wallace — a self-professed geek who channels the voice of the audience as he reacts to the insane happenings on the Destiny.

Universe also pulled upon its background players (like Drs. Volker, Brody, and Park) to weave in some situational humor once they found their place on the ship. They weren’t usually the laugh-out-loud moments we got in SG-1 and Atlantis, but they provided a well-balanced reprieve from otherwise heavy storytelling.

“Futura. Isn’t that a font?”

Catherine, we’re not in Egypt anymore…

Lastly, we shouldn’t forget the recent Stargate Origins: Catherine for its palpable chemistry between a young Catherine Langford, Captain Beal, and Wasif. Not to mention how Wasif aptly describes his first trip through the Stargate: “Tingly!”

HOPE

Stargate is many things to many people, but above all, I believe that Stargate embodies hope.

From the concrete halls of Stargate Command to the spires of Atlantis, from the dunes of 1930s Abydos to the silver hallways of the Destiny … hope is found in every corner of the Stargate universe. While some shows are compelling because of their anti-heroes, Stargate thrives on its ability to highlight moments of virtue and hope — stories where our heroes embrace their best selves despite every excuse not to.

So where will Stargate take us next? Only time will tell.

Stargate is a show (or film) that you can turn on when you want to be entertained and uplifted, but equally relevant for when you want to engage in self-discovery. It has something for everyone, and above all, it stimulates the imagination and intellect in a way that leaves a lasting impact.

While the Golden Age of television has presented audiences with an overwhelming amount of high-quality narrative entertainment, I have yet to find a single property that replicates the magical medley (and tonal balance) of Stargate’s sci-fi storytelling.

And for that very reason, I can’t wait for the next adventure.

Like I said at the outset: Stargate is much more than just one person’s view. And as such, I have almost certainly overlooked core Stargate tenants that others hold dear.

So let us know what defines Stargate for you. Leave a comment below, or send us your thoughts on Twitter. Or you can head over to GateWorld Forum, and be a part of the community discussion of “What Defines Stargate.”

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Dana Farricker

I just wish this site would edit the articles a bit better. The opening sentence (“As a teenage boy growing up in North Carolina — fascinated by the military, ancient mythology, and all things science fiction — Stargate SG-1 seemed like a television show “) grammatically says that Stargate SG-1 was a teenage boy growing up in North Carolina. Obviously, that’s a mistake, and the writer and editor should have noticed. Come on, folks. Editors are supposed to pick up things like misplaced modifiers, which render sentences like that one entirely nonsensical, and thus a lot less enjoyable. And that’s… Read more »

Adam, your articles are always well thought out (and I’m not gonna comment on grammatical errors here cause I’m native Dutch so I’m bound to make worse ones in English) but I can’t believe you went here… and I quote: “But not everyone saw that potential in SGU. In fact, many blamed the controversial spin off for the collapse of Atlantis and the cancellation of the SG-1 and Atlantis movies. Some even rallied to sabotage the new show out of pure spite.” Seriously?! You’re still blaming other fans for the failure of your favorite show? Yeah, Universe’s declining viewing numbers,… Read more »

H. Lemming: IMO it’s fair to say that some fans actively worked to sabotage SGU. An infamous Web site was even set up as a rallying point. While we might debate their motives and their ultimate (in)effectiveness, in my mind it’s not controversial to say that they existed and wanted to deep-six the show.

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25 days ago

Guest

Hey , now would be a great time to bring back SGU

Great piece , thanks a lot! I wont say sgu was my favourite but I was loving where it was going ……..

“I’ve never seen so many knives being sharpened for a show being aired, especially by the fans of the franchise, as I’ve seen over this past year when it came to Universe,” Shanks told GateWorld’s Chad Colvin. “I’ve also seen a lot of love for it. … But I’m just kind of surprised at the waiting-in-the-wings tension that is almost desirous for this thing to fall on its face. And I think that’s a mistake.”

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25 days ago

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Jesus

My entry into stargate was the movie then SGU which I Loved so then I found out their was SG1 and Atlantis I watched those as well loved all 3 showa all amazing with different character’s growung thought the series. With all the garbage tv produced now im amazed that these shows didt last longer great shows tend to go out faster than bad ones. Great articled I hope theirs a new stargate series made ill be ready to watch as soon as it comes out.

I watched very nearly all of the Stargate TV properties and enjoyed them in varying degrees… I thought Universe needed more time to get a fair shake and find itself, especially given that it was such a departure from the other shows, and frankly a bit of a Battlestar Galactica pastiche in a lot of ways. It was on the right track when they pulled the plug, which I really did rather regret. There was one detail that I thought quite brilliant, though: in the episode where they find that an offshoot of the Destiny led to the creation of… Read more »

Just to echo Dana, if we really want good grammar, it’s “As I said….” not “Like I said….” However, the latter is currently embedded in the spoken language.

I was not a huge fan of SGU, though I was coming around 2nd season, but then I’m not a fan of the slow and impressionistic bent Sci-Fi seems to be taking today. Somehow I think that people think that kind of unfolding of a story is more profound. For me, Stargate is the humor and the characters. They were first rate.

Great show and great article. It’s not true that these three shows were cancelled right away. SG-1 is the second longest running syfy show ever made in history and the only one endorsed by a branch of the military (air Force). I’d be satisfied with a continuation of any of them. If the producers are out there reading this anywhere. Please bring back more movies or shows. I’ve watched them all and I don’t know how many times I’ve said to my self. “This is such a prefect show, I absolutely loved every minute”. Please bring this back in the… Read more »

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24 days ago

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JediMB

The thing about Shuttlecraft Universe, to me, was that it felt like it had an endless stream of things that annoyed me. (With that said, I didn’t participate in any sort of movement against it.) First, as alluded to above, it bothered me endlessly that the shuttlecraft got more use than the stargate throughout the series. The ships were even given such great importance that a bunch of dead/lost characters were brought back and immediately killed off again with the only long-term consequence being that the Destiny crew got their shuttlecraft back. (And later in season 2, the show actually… Read more »

It’s because of the characters in SGU that I didn’t like the show. They were not like-able.
You mention people wanting to tune in for hope and humor. SGU was intentionally dark, serious, had a great deal of character conflict, politics, civilians versus the military, etc.
In tone, SGU was vastly different from the SGU we loved and the beauty of Atlantis.

We didn’t even know of Destiny’s mission until the 2nd season began, and still, it remained unclear by the end of season 2

Season 1, episode Earth put me off SGU. I count it as the worst ep of the entire series.

I always loved the military aspect of Stargate. It was always fun seeing how we use our modern military tactics to go toe to toe with these more advanced alien societies. Or showcase these tactics to to lesser advanced societies and show them that sometimes there are other ways to win a fight other than just straight up violence and self sacrifice.

@Heightmeyer’s Lemming I usually agree with you, but this time I don’t think you are right. The fate of the franchise was sealed by many unfortunate factors. The economic crisis, the bankruptcy of MGM, the different tone, and yes, the hate campaign from certain fans all worked together. Some people decided to hate Universe, because it was different, and they had the right, but when a show depends on the viewing numbers, actions like these can lead to decisions. As you can see, there are still people, whose only argument is “not SGU”. I understand why some fans don’t like… Read more »

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23 days ago

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sandis

I don’t think new stargate are coming any time soon…I kind of don’t understand them. If they didn’t react after twiter stargatenow and Brad, R.D.Andersons, C. Judge and other would like to do something…fans want something…were is a problem?

Well, i guess it all about money. So why dont do kikstarter for some tv movie or pilot. Let see the real power of fans. I think money for Brads new Stargate would be rised pretty fast.